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Mark Dantonio planning on Spartans running up-tempo offense
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Michigan State’s offense may not have looked its best in Week 1, but Mark Dantonio is still confident it can get where it needs to be.
In the season opener against Tulsa, the Spartans barely cracked 300 yards of total offense. The big reason for that was an ineffective rushing attack that gained 108 yards while averaging 2.7 yards per carry.
RELATED: Michigan State’s defense held Tulsa to an unbelievable rushing total
The good news is Michigan State did not turn the ball over, but there’s still plenty of room to improve. After the game, Dantonio discussed the offense. He admitted it bogged down at times, but he is still planning on running an up-tempo attack this year:
Dantonio says MSU plans to be an up-tempo offense. "We're gonna move it."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2019
Dantonio went on to say that OC Brad Salem is calling plays from the sidelines because of the change in tempo. He also praised Salem’s playcalling and preparedness, instead focusing on the lack of execution by the offense:
Dantonio said that because MSU is running more up-tempo, that's why Brad Salem is calling plays from the sideline.
— Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) August 31, 2019
Dantonio: "I thought coach Salem did a tremendous job getting plays in in a rapid way." Goes back to players' lack of execution on the offense. "We put it in our running backs' hands, and we gotta make plays."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2019
Here’s the rest of Dantonio’s post-game comments relating to the offense:
https://twitter.com/sam_britten/status/1167630189213306880?s=20
Mark Dantonio says the offense stalled out after the first series. Too many penalties but the defense was "outstanding."
— Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) August 31, 2019
Dantonio clearly focusing on the positives, but not ignoring the dropped passes and players' inability to execute with precision. Felt Lewerke was "sharp" between throwing and running, and thought play-calling was not bad. Even said the crowd provided excellent support.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2019
On offense, Dantonio says, "Too many missed opportunities."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2019
Dantonio asked on OL, no Arcuri and Jarvis at LT: Says Arcuri was "nicked up" and could not push off. Said Carrick at guard and that Jarvis had worked tackle the past few weeks.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 31, 2019
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.